Neuropathic pain is a prevalent type of pain that a variety of conditions, like diabetes and shingles, can cause. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system and is estimated to affect around 10% of the adult population globally. At Macomb Pain Management, we strive to help our patients understand chronic pain, including its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options. If you are living with neuropathic pain and want to learn more about this condition and your treatment options, you are in the right place. Let’s take a closer look at neuropathic pain and how Macomb Pain Management can help you take your life back from chronic pain.
Common Causes of Neuropathic Pain
There are several different ways that you can develop neuropathic pain, from diseases, traumatic injuries, infections, and surgical complications. One of the most common causes we see in patients with neuropathic pain is the result of diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by chronic high blood sugar levels and is broken down into four types:
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Autonomic Neuropathy
- Proximal Neuropathy
- Focal Neuropathy
Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include burning sensations, tingling sensations, numbness, and muscular weakness. Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most common complications seen in patients with diabetes. Besides conditions like diabetes, injuries are another leading cause of neuropathic pain. Sudden impact to the body’s nerves caused by a car crash, sports injury, or fall can lead to compression, damage, or tearing of nerves. In some cases, surgical complications can also cause damage to nerves and associated neuropathic pain.
Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain
Depending on the cause of your neuropathic pain, you may experience several different symptoms alongside your nerve pain. Patients typically report that neuropathic pain includes symptoms like:
- Burning or scalding sensations
- Sharp pain sensations
- Stabbing pain
- Electric shock sensations
- Muscular weakness
- Temperature sensitivity
While neuropathic pain can be challenging to live with and extremely painful, there are several effective treatment options available for neuropathic pain patients at Macomb Pain Management.
Neuropathic Pain Treatment Options
There are several treatment options for neuropathic pain available for patients at Macomb Pain Management. Nerve blocks can block damaged nerves from transmitting pain signals to the brain. With a nerve block, a physician injects an anesthetic or anti-inflammatory medication near the injured nerve to quickly relieve temporary pain. Other treatment options for neuropathic pain include topical treatments like lidocaine patches or capsaicin creams that can provide quick pain relief for mild flare-ups. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Tylenol are also an option for mild cases of neuropathic pain. For patients who are living with neuropathic pain caused by a chronic condition like diabetes, lifestyle changes can prevent further damage to the body’s nerves. Patients with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar levels to prevent their blood sugar from becoming dangerously high and leading to nerve damage. If you are living with neuropathic pain and are ready to take the first step towards taking your life back from chronic pain, contact Macomb Pain Management today.
Neuropathic Pain Management Treatments at Macomb Pain Management
At Macomb Pain Management, we work with patients one-on-one to develop effective treatment plans tailored to their needs and goals. To start with a safe, effective, and affordable neuropathic pain management plan, contact us at (248) 844-8281.
